starzology banner

Basic Natal Astrology

Book your CONSULTATION
Book Your COACHING

Sign up to get STARZLIFE free astrology newsletter every Sunday.

Natal Chart Readings: Beginners

Natal Chart Readings: Beginners

by

How to Read a Birth Chart

The 4 Cornerstones of Chart Interpretation

Reading a birth chart is a skill that can be learned. By an undestanding of four main components of a chart you can get to understand the chart easily. Although there are many, many parts to one birth chart, if you start with the basics you swill be well on the way to interpreting the message in a chart sooner rather than later.

In this post, I’m going to share with you the four cornerstones of chart interpretations. Chart reading is a huge subject and there are many ways to skin this cat, so today let’s zoom out for a high level look at what you need to know. And what is important for anyone who wants to read charts.

Listen now >>> The Four Cornerstones of Chart Reading

Cornerstones 

The four cornerstones are what holds things up and they can hold up your chart readings. An example is the pyramids. They first lay the four cornerstones and make them level then they can build upon that. Walls are built that hang from the corners. It’s like the foundations of your house.

The four cornerstones of chart reading are the signs, planets, houses and aspects. Many astrology books focus one one or more of these factors. I urge you to read as many astrology books as you can and I have some book recommendations for you.

1. Signs

The signs of the zodiac are the gateway into chart reading. The signs are originally named after the constellations. In the tropical zodiac, measured fro the Vernal equinox, the zodiac signs are the ones that the Sun passes through every year.

Everyone knows their Sun sign. You will know your family and frineds and maybe even your colleagues’ Sun signs. As an astrologer, you need to understand the meaning of the signs and one way to do this is with keywords.

Sign Keywords

There are a few main keywords for each sign. Let’s just be clear about sign keywords. A keyword cannot be generic like “happy” as this could relate to many signs. A sign keyword must directly relate to the sign and to no other sign. A sign keyword is unique to that particular sign.

Example Sign Keywords

Fire signs keywords: Inspirational, hot, fiery, active and outgoing.

Aries: Competitive, aggressive, dynamic and red.

Leo: Creative, honest, extravagant and yellow.

Sagittarius: Adventurous, cosmopolitan, philosophical and blue.

Read more >>> Sign Wine Parings

Read more >>> Compatible Signs

Your Astrology Journal

A good idea when learning astrology is to have an astrology journal. Reach for your astrology journal. Make a page titled “Signs”  then on the next 12 pages, write each sign name at the top of the page. You will fill in more information about the signs later.

Reference your good astrology books, choose five sign keywords for each sign and learn them first. Be aware of polarity, element and mode, but don’t worry too much about out this yet. First learn the signs in which you have tenants, or planets. So for instance, if you have the Sun in Libra, then learn that sign.

Next turn your attention to your Moon sign and learn that signs keywords. Follow in for all the planets and learn these signs first.

Read more >>> Recommended Reading

Read more >>> Your Holy Trinity and Polarity


2. Planets

As you start to learn the sign keywords, along with all of that you can add in some planet keywords. Start with the Sun, the Moon and then work your way outwards from Mercury.

Get at least five planet specific keywords for each planet. Planet keywords must not be generic and must be only relevant to that individual sign. You can use all your astrology books as a reference but don’t quote other astrologers directly.

Read more >>> Planets

Read more >>> How Planets Move

Read more >>>Retrograde Planets

3. Houses

For the houses there are 12 houses and each house represents a different area of life. Houses can also contain people in your life. 

Start learning the houses by your own planet in house placements. So learn your Sun’s house keywords then your Moon’s house keywords and so on. In this way you become more familiar with what is in your own chart first. Then go back over and learn the rest of the house keywords. That will be your vacant houses.

Read more >>> The Astrological Houses

4. Aspects

Next learn the aspects.

Ptolemaic Aspects

There are five Ptolemaic aspects. Start with the conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile. In other words the major or Ptolemaic aspects. When you have mastered the big five, go on to learn keywords for the minor aspects.

Minor Aspects

The minor aspects are the semi sextile, quincunx, semi-square and sesquiquadrate.

Aspects of Declination

Eventually you will learn keywords for the parallel and contra parallel aspects.

Lesser Used Aspects

The lesser used aspects are the quintile and biquintile, the sextile, bi-sextile and tri-septile and the novile and decile.

Process

You won’t know everything at once it is a process. Lay out your astrology journal with one double page spread for each cornerstone component of sign, planet, house and aspect. Ideally you will leave pages inbetween each cornerstone topic so you can come back and add more information later.

Read more >>> Fibonacci Aspects

Read more >>> Aspect Orbs

Personal Astrology Resource

If you create an astrology journal it can become your very own astrology resource. As you read more and more charts you can develop your interpretation style further. 

I hope these ideas will give you something to think about. I’d like to think these four cornerstones will help you get going with learning your wonderful craft.

 

Read more >>> Planetary Complexes

Read more >>> Astrology Reading Cards

Listen now >>> Starzology Astrology Podcast

how-to-read-a-birth-chart-diagram

Pin this to read later

Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

7th House

7th House

In astrology, the 7th HOUSE suggests your partnerships, marriages, contracts and public relations. It also covers open enemies and the general public.

Astrology Coaching

Astrology Coaching

Coaching with Alison can help you avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that beginners often make, saving you time and frustration.

Astrological Ethics and Privacy

by

“It is not possible that particular forms of events should be declared by any person… it is necessary for [astrologers] to adopt inference. Only God can predict particulars.” ~ Ptolemy

Introduction

We as astrologers would certainly be wise to adopt inference about our readings especially in regard to our clients. Here we will discuss some ethical predicaments in which an astrologer, or student, can easily find themselves.

Privacy

The privacy laws are always in effect and you need to be aware that they affect your work as an astrologer. You cannot discuss the chart details of one person with another – even another astrologer.

Permission

If you want to use an individual’s chart details and personal storyline you may not do so without first obtaining their written permission and clearly stating whether the data will be used for research, teaching or for publication. The public do not know the breadth and depth that an astrological interpretation can entail and how chart analysis will reveal features and motivations in someone’s life. As an astrologer, you need to tread carefully here.

Children

A new mother comes to you and wants her baby’s chart read. What do you do? Obviously, parents make decisions for their offspring all the time. Perhaps one way of dealing with interpreting children’s charts is to be found in the transits. Prior to the first Jupiter return (age 12) the parents may request a child’s chart to be read and after the Jupiter return the child should agree to you doing the reading.

“Is he the one?”

A woman arrives at your office clutching the birth details of Mr. “Fifth Boyfriend this Year” and demands, “Is he the One?” What do you do? This really is an ethical situation where you are being asked to interpret charts for those who are not there and are unaware that it is happening. There may be justification in some instances, but you will have to decide where to draw the line.

The Deceased

We often select famous people who are dead for chart interpretation practice such as Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein or Michael Jackson. If a private person has died and you wish to work with their chart details this usually is acceptable unless the death has occurred recently, and the family is still working through their grief. You have to decide what type of astrologer you are and again you have to make the call.

Hit-and-Run

You have just left an energetic astrology meeting and are standing at the door casually chatting about the weather and someone thrusts their chart into your face and says breathlessly, “I have no planets in the seventh house, I was told it means I won’t get married, what do you think?”

Well, what do you think? For a start you can’t stand there discussing her chart in front of other people. What gets me about this scene is that during some point in her past someone told her the grim news and she has been carrying the baggage with her up until now. There is no point to respond with another hit-and-run consultation as you stand at the door.

The way to handle this situation is to explain that many factors influence marriage and invite her to make an appointment to meet with you at a more appropriate time where you can gently go over how it all works and put her straight on this matter.

You are the Authority

Remember, as an astrologer (and as an astrology student) you are deemed the authority in all matters of an astrological nature. From the point of view of your clients and the general public you are the wizard and as such you need to be careful to do no harm.

Your Chart

Look at your chart to see what your Saturn (respect and boundaries), Uranus (astrology) and Pluto (secrets) reveal about you and your approach to ethics and privacy.

Give some thought to the issues discussed above and it could help you decide where you stand.

Conclusion

Every astrologer has their own opinion on these introductory matters. It would do you well to think about what your views are before attempting a chart interpretation.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Ethics and Privacy

In your astrology journal, please do the following:

  • Consider three possible ways you may be challenged in your astrology business with family and friends surrounding ethics and privacy.
  • Decide if you will reveal information about a client’s chart to the person who pays for the consultation.
  • Consider which types of requests you will decline e.g. “Why did he die, can you look at his death chart?” “I’m sixteen years old, will you read my chart and not tell my parents?” “I think my partner is having an affair, will you read their chart for me but not tell them, I have the details for you?”

Extend Yourself

  • Write an astrological personal privacy statement which can be used on your website and in correspondence with potential clients (100 words).

 

 More on this Topic

Read more >>> When to go Professional as an Astrologer

Your Astro Biz Session

Your Astro Biz Session

Your 30-Minute Astrology Business Chat Are you an astrologer looking to grow your astrology business, fine-tune your offerings, or get support with your education and process? You're in the right place. I know that running an astrology business can be just as...

Mars in Gemini

Mars in Gemini

Mars in Gemini. Arwynne talks about what to expect from this transit, and what Mars in Gemini looks like in the birth chart.

5th House

5th House

In astrology, the 5th HOUSE suggests your creative side. It rules recreation and procreation as well as gambling and the stock exchange.

The Moon, Your Mother and Food

The Moon, Your Mother and Food

by

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: September 2018   –   Revised: July 2024

The Moon, Your Mother and Food

The Moon in astrology serves as a significant indicator of how you experienced your mother and your relationship with food.

Your Moon sign offers insights into how your mother influenced your eating habits and emotional responses related to nourishment.

While a comprehensive analysis of your lunar chart is essential for a detailed understanding, starting with your Moon sign can provide valuable initial insights.

 

Your Moon Sign and Eating Habits

Your Moon sign represents your instinctive reactions and emotional needs, which are often shaped by early childhood experiences, especially those involving your mother.

The nurturing you received and the habits formed during those formative years play a crucial role in your relationship with food.

When you think back to your childhood, the comfort foods you reach for today are often those associated with early habits and the emotional patterning established by your nurturing environment.

These foods are linked to memories and feelings of comfort and security, which were instilled by your mother or primary caregiver.

Revisiting Childhood Memories

Imagine sitting at the kitchen table as a child.

Try to recall the sounds, smells, and feelings from those moments.

Perhaps you can still hear your mother’s voice, reminding you to eat your vegetables, or the aroma of a favorite dish she used to prepare.

These memories are not just nostalgic; they are integral to understanding your emotional connection to food.

Analyzing the Lunar Complex

While your Moon sign provides an initial understanding, a full analysis of the lunar complex in your natal chart is necessary to uncover deeper insights.

This includes examining aspects, house placement, and other factors that influence how your emotional needs and eating habits were shaped.

By reflecting on these early experiences and exploring your Moon sign, you can gain a better understanding of your current relationship with food and how it ties back to your childhood and your mother’s influence.

This awareness can help you make more conscious choices about your eating habits and emotional responses, leading to a more balanced and nurturing relationship with food.

Moon Signs: A Mother’s Influence on Eating Habits

Moon in Aries Mother

“Eat it while it’s hot,” she commands as she places a sizzling plate in front of you.

Her fiery energy infuses meals with urgency and a sense of immediacy, encouraging you to enjoy the moment and not let anything go to waste.

Moon in Taurus Mother

“Don’t gulp your meal. Take your time and taste the food,” she advises.

Her nurturing revolves around savoring and appreciating each bite, creating a slow and deliberate eating experience that emphasizes quality over quantity.

 

Moon in Gemini Mother

“Hurry up and finish your dinner, I want the table for our jigsaw puzzle,” she says, drumming her fingers.

Her multi-tasking nature often leads to meals being a quick affair, making way for the next intellectual or social activity.

Moon in Cancer Mother

“I prepared your favorite recipe, so when you eat it, it will make me feel good,” she murmurs, patting your hand.

Her emotional connection to food is strong, and she finds joy in nurturing through homemade comfort meals that evoke feelings of security and love.

Moon in Leo Mother

“I have created yet another culinary masterpiece in my kitchen. I have put my heart into the preparation of your meal. I hope you appreciate it. Eat up,” she declares dramatically.

Her meals are grand expressions of her love, and she seeks recognition and appreciation for her efforts in the kitchen.

Moon in Virgo Mother

“Everything in this meal is healthy, so clean your plate,” she insists, meticulously checking a food values label.

Her attention to detail ensures that meals are nutritious and balanced, promoting a disciplined approach to eating.

Moon in Libra Mother

“I’ll make a deal with you: If you eat your veggies, we can have cake,” she proposes, sitting opposite you.

Her balanced approach to meals often includes negotiations and compromises, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Moon in Scorpio Mother

“Don’t waste food, people in the world are dying of starvation. Eat up,” she says, watching you closely.

Her intensity and awareness of deeper issues translate into a no-nonsense attitude towards meals and a strong emphasis on not wasting food.

Moon in Sagittarius Mother

“I’m trying a new-fangled recipe, what do you think? Oh, please have some more, I made plenty.

In fact, there is enough so I can take what’s left to the big hall meeting later tonight,” she exclaims enthusiastically.

Her adventurous spirit shines through in her culinary experiments and generosity.

Moon in Capricorn Mother

“I’m tired of cooking you the same old meals every day, but tradition is tradition, so eat what I say.

I am your mother (and therefore the food authority),” she states firmly.

Her adherence to tradition and authority makes meals a structured and predictable affair.

Moon in Aquarius Mother

“I have to dash out to my book club, but you can find something to eat, can’t you?

There is cold pizza in the fridge,” she says, standing at the door.

Her unconventional and independent nature often leads to a more laissez-faire approach to meals, encouraging self-sufficiency.

Moon in Pisces Mother

“I have had to sacrifice to provide this meal. If you don’t eat it, I will be upset,” she softly says.

“But, I fed you only yesterday!”

Her empathetic and sometimes sacrificial approach to nurturing can make meals a deeply emotional experience, often tied to her own feelings of sacrifice and care.

moon-mother-food-pin

 

Pin this to read later

 

 
moon-mother-food

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

 

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

5th House

5th House

In astrology, the 5th HOUSE suggests your creative side. It rules recreation and procreation as well as gambling and the stock exchange.

Color of the Year

Color of the Year

Pantone - the Color People Color of the Year Towards the end of each year, Pantone announces a new color for the forthcoming year. The publication of the Color of the Year is highly anticipated, mainly by artists, graphic designers, trend setters and the New Age...

Basic Chart Interpretation – Step 4 – Detailed Notes

Basic Chart Interpretation – Step 4 – Detailed Notes

by

Chart Interpretation: Step 4: Detailed Notes

This post is part of a series on basic chart interpretation and how to read a natal chart. The other steps are listed below and will be developed soon.

Step 1 – The birth chart data – time, date and place.

Step 2 – The physical chart – printing and highlighting main features.

Step 3 – Preparing for the interpretation – margin notes

Step 4 – Your interpretation – detailed notes

Basic Chart Interpretation Step 4 – Your Interpretation – Detailed Notes

The fourth step for a basic chart interpretation is where you take the margin notes and flesh them out.

You can either write directly onto the margin notes page or type some detailed notes up for a written report for your client. I tend to do the written notes if I am having a face to face session with my client.

Gone are the days of written reports but some of you may still find there is a clarity that comes from details written notes. I certainly suggest you do this at least once either for your own chart of someone close to you.

It is a good exercise in the discipline required to read an astrology chart.

Example Detailed Notes

Below is an example of the first page for detailed astrology chart notes for an example chart.

Each piece of the chart is considered and a report like this can be over 50 pages of text.

If you have Solar Fire you can start to add each paragraph into the database so you don’t have t o keep repeating yourself in the future when you do another chart which has the same components.

Notice how the second paragraph draws together the three parts of; the strong western hemisphere, the strong triple division of houses and the strong second quadrant.

This is a typical feature of interpretation where three indicators bring clarity to your readings.

1 Strong western hemisphere

2 Strong 2nd triple division of house

3 Strong 2nd quadrants

You always need to be on the look out for themes and indicators that come from more than one source when doing a basic chart interpretation.

 

Your Future Chart Interpretations

The more charts you read the better you will get at interpretations.

There is a tipping point for chart readings and when they start to get easier. It is after your twenty-fifth chart that you suddenly can read a chart with ease.

Tips on How to Read a Birth Chart

Tips on How to Read a Birth Chart

by

Tips on How to Read a Birth Chart

Every time you start to read a chart there are so many things to look at and it can be daunting.

Here I have brought the essence of chart reading down to a few features to consider. These are things you will always look at when you do any chart reading.

If you practice this type of high level chart your interpretation you will get to the heart of your chart reading sooner rather than later.

These tips will sharpen your focus so you don’t go off at a tangent or wander down a chart reading rabbit hole.

 

1. The Dominant Broad Stroke

The dominant broad stroke refers to the background feel for a chart. This is shown by the quantity of planets and their distribution throughout the chart.

The broad strokes do not consider individual planets.

 

Planet Count

You count the visible planets only and this will always add up to seven. The seven visible planets are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

The broad strokes that you count are:

  • The two polarities of active and passive.
  • The four elements of fire, earth, air and water.
  • The three modes of cardinal, fixed and mutable.
  • The four hemispheres of north, south, east and west
  • The four quadrants numbered first, second, third and fourth.

In all of this find the highest possible number and focus on interpreting that broad stroke.

 

2. The Chart Ruler Complex

The chart ruler is the planet that rules the sign on the ascendant. If it is one of the three signs with two rulers (Scorpio, Aquarius or Capricorn) then look at both rulers.

Look closely at this planet and discover it’s message. Understand the chart ruler by sign, house, aspects and position in the chart.

 

Strong

The chart ruler is strong if it is in its own sign or in exaltation or in other words if it has essential dignity.

It is strong in accidental dignity which is the natural house of its sign. So for example, Mars in the eighth house is strong because Mars rules Scorpio the natural eighth sign.

Notice if it rules the hemisphere, quadrant, division or the house it tenants.

If the chart ruler has only soft aspects it is supported, but if it receives only hard aspects it is afflicted. A combination of both brings a neutral feel.

 

Position in the Chart

See if the chart ruler dominates the chart by being high in teh chart and most elevated, oriental, the final dispositor or is it in an angular house (first, fourth, seventh or tenth).

These positions add weight to the planets and give it gravitas.

 

Major Aspect Patterns

See if the chart ruler is well engaged by being part of a major aspect pattern. Check if it dominates the pattern.

This placement adds strength to the chart ruler.

 

Chart Ruler’s Direction

Check if the chart ruler’s motion is direct, stationary or retrograde.

Being direct adds weight and makes the planet strong but the state of being retrograde detracts from the planet’s potential. Being stationary can add strength depending on how comfortable it is in its sign.

 

Read more >>> Dispositor Trees

 

3. The Sun Complex

Understand the Sun in the chart by sign, house, aspects and position in the chart. A well placed Sun will function far better than an afflicted Sun.

The Sun’s Message

Fully explore the message of the Sun in the chart.

 

Read more >>> What Each Sun Sign Wants at Work

Explore more >>> Your Astrology Questions Answered

 

4. The Tightest Aspect

To find the tightest aspect you have to consider the aspects between the planets and the orbs.

 

What to Look For

Look for aspects between the planets and not the points.

The planets to consider when looking for the tightest aspect are; the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron.

 

What to Ignore

Do not consider any points like the Ascendant, the Midheaven, the Lunar Nodes or the Part of Fortune etc.

I also do not consider the asteroids unless you use them in your daily astrology practice. If not then ignore asteroids including Ceres.

 

Only look for the five Ptolemaic aspects which are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine and opposition.

 

Tightest orb

Find the aspect with the tightest orb which should be 00°00′.

See which aspect it is and understand the meaning of this aspect.

Consider at the two planets in the aspect and how they will work together in this chart and in this aspect.

Check the house and signs that the tightest aspect lies over and understand what this means.

 

tips-on-how-to-read-a-birth-chart-diagram

 

5. The Prominent Major Aspect Pattern

You need the find the most dominant major aspect pattern in the chart.

Some charts may not have a major aspect pattern and if so, then skip this step.

Major aspect patterns in order of importance are:

If there is more than one major aspect pattern of the same type, say you have three T-squares, then find the tightest orbed T-square, the non-disassociate T-square and the one that includes the chart ruler, the Sun or the final dispositor.

Find this major aspect pattern and fully understand the planets involved in it by sign, house and essential dignity.

Use these tips to help you read a chart quickly and easily.

 

Read more >>> Essential Dignity

Read more >>> Astrology ABCs

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

New Moon in Pisces

New Moon in Pisces

As an astrologer, it’s always interesting with a group of planets in one sign. This happens in February 2025 with five planets in Pisces.